Time to be Microsoft's guinea pig again - the 2013 Xbox Live public beta is here

Today Microsoft's Major Nelson announced that the public gates would be opening for Xbox Live's 2013 Update. According to our favorite Xbox team member, the update " will include updates to improve overall performance and the ability to conduct transactions with local currency."

In a major decision, Microsoft has decided to retire their point based system which originally launched as a way to allow users without the need of a credit card; this reduces the number of fees the company would need to pay to credit card companies for each small transaction. This aligns with rumors we reported about previously in January.

If you want to get in on the sweet beta action simply fire up your Xbox 360 console and look for the "Xbox Beta Program" tile on your dashboard.

At this time, Xbox Live members in every country except Japan can currently join - the country of Japan will be added at a later unspecified date according to officals.

Would have been awesome if one could use smartglass to remotely view and control the Xbox dashboard anywhere via a Windows 8 phone or computer. You know, do better what Sony tried to do with psp and PlayStation hardware. But hey that's just me and my crazy thoughts again.

The update has not been released yet, it could take up to 2 working days. It probably wont be untill they have enough sign-ups. What I mean was do you have "Complete Sign Up" tile on the Dash after you register?

well I would hope anyone signing up for the beta would read the part where it says "NDA"
I guess people do read a little more? maybe? because there is a FAQ about it.
"I’ve signed up but haven’t received the update. Why?
It will take up to two business days (Monday-Friday) for the update to download to your console once you’ve completed the on-console registration application. You'll know you’ve gotten the update and you’re in the beta when you see the “beta” channel on your Dashboard."

also
"Once you’ve run the registration app on your console, you’ll have to wait up to three business days to gain access to the Xbox LIVE Update Public Beta Program private forum.
The Xbox LIVE Update Public Beta Program private forum is where you can post all inquiries, suggestions, and feedback about the beta"

just reading those 3 things in faq, I would expect a person not to ask "whats new" especially if they are also applying to beta and then agreeing with the same strict Microsoft NDA everyone else is.

I was in a rush to leave my house so I just did it I just agreed and continue all I do is play FIFA Netflix YouTube and music on my 360 I'm not doing nothing wrong so I don't need to read that FAQ stuff I was in a rush thanks though.

PS4 is not backwards compatible. Siny has Gaikai which they say will stream ps1,2,& 3 games but it isn't working yet and they haven't said when it will be available. Plus everyone bitches about always online, gaikai is going to suffer from bandwidth and latency issues for everyone but those that have insane fast internet

I'm hesitant because of something in the agreement about users signing in on a registered console will only be able to make purchases on a registered console. Maybe I read it wrong, but I have visitors who sometimes sign in. Maybe I'll let somebody else be MY guinea pig for now.

I just signed up and I'm scared it's going to break my xbox. If anyone has it tell me if it "impaired" your xbox I dont think it breaks the NDA and if anyone frequently foes these betas, is it fun to participate in